Former Cairns mayor denounces Manning’s BDR proposal as state government still yet to respond

Mayor Bob Manning is still waiting for a response from the state government over his proposed banned drinkers register in Cairns as criticism of his proposal begins to bite.

The Cairns mayor’s letter calling for Northern Territory-style liquor restrictions in the state’s north has been handballed to the police minister’s office.

Mayor Bob Manning, along with the Townsville and Mount Isa mayors, wrote to Deputy Premier Steven Miles asking him to implment a banned drinkers register to curb a wave of property crime and anti-social behaviour.

A fortnight after being sent, Cr Manning said he had not received a response.

“I haven’t seen any response to that letter … I’m not aware of any arrangements that have yet been settled,” Cr Manning said.

“I would be happy at any time to go anywhere to talk about it.”

Cr Manning said there was “no future going on the way we are”.

The Economics and Governance Committee meet for a public hearing into the proposed Strengthening Community Safety Bill at the Pullman Reef Casino Hotel. Cairns Mayor Bob Manning addressed the committee at the hearing. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We seem to have plenty of reports that have been done and they’re are all in the cupboard,” he said.

“I can point out a number of quite principled reports where matters haven’t been acted on.

“Some of those would relate to alcohol.”

A spokeswoman for the office of the deputy premier said the mayor’s letter had been forwarded to the office of the minister for police, Mark Ryan. Picture: Alison Paterson

Cr Manning said the premier’s suggestion that local governments fund the implementation of a banned drinkers register wasn’t right.

“We can’t do that,” he said.

“Let’s get around the table and start talking.

“What I hear the people of Cairns saying is we want this fixed up, we want something done, and I agree with it.

“Do we just resign ourselves to the declining standard of living?”

Last week a spokeswoman for the office of the deputy premier confirmed the mayor’s letter had been referred to the police minister’s office.

“The government welcomes the mayors’ feedback; the letter has been referred to the office of Minister Ryan,” the spokeswoman said.

Former Cairns mayor Kevin Byrne said a BDR was not an appropriate solution for Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Deputy mayor Terry James said the BDR was an appropriate request.

“I think we’ve got to try everything possible to curb alcohol violence,” Cr James said.

“The technology (for a banned drinkers register) is there; this is a feasible initiative.”

Cr James said he wasn’t aware of the letter prior to it being sent but said it was right for the mayor to take that step without consulting other councillors.

“He’s got separate powers. The mayor is the elected spokesman for the council. That’s his job,” he said.

“Everyone’s unanimous, we’ve got to do something.”

Meanwhile, former Cairns mayor Kevin Byrne said a BDR was not an effective solution for the city.

“The mayor and the Cairns Regional Council have at long last recognised that they have a role to play in ensuring the residents and visitors enjoy a safe,” Mr Byrne said.

“The banned drinkers register will not make a dint in the consumption of alcohol, it has always been too easily obtained.

“The only interventions that will work is to get them off the streets into diversionary facilities … or into jail depending on the category of offending.”

Originally published as Former Cairns mayor denounces Manning’s BDR proposal as state government still yet to respond